The most recent campaign from the CU Environmental Center is the Wind Challenge. This new program is promoting the support of pollution-free wind energy in student residence halls.

“The Environmental Center and student groups are trying to get away from current sources of fuel and going toward alternative sources like wind and solar. They are the energy sources of the future,” said Amin Gheysar, manager of business operations in Housing Facilities Services, who works with CU’s Environmental Center to promote the program. “We’re trying to buy into our great future. We are doing the right thing and educating the students.”

Much of the air pollution in Colorado is caused by electricity generation. People breathe in large amounts of smog, carbon dioxide, and mercury emitted from electricity-generating plants. According to the Environmental Center’s Web site, more than 75 percent of Colorado’s electricity and 60 percent of the United State’s energy currently comes from coal-burning power plants, which emit more pollution than any other type of power plant.

In the quest for cleaner air and a less environmentally destructive way to power a bustling campus, CU’s environmental center has launched a promotion of wind energy. According to Ghita Carroll of the environmental studies department, the University Memorial Center, the recreation center and Wardenburg Health Center have all been powered by wind for the last two years with students’ funding and support, and last year students voted to have all three buildings fully powered by wind.

Carroll also mentioned that all three of the new buildings currently under construction are also to be fully powered by wind energy. Perhaps the residence halls, where much electricity is utilized and often wasted, will be next.

No wind energy is used yet to power residence halls, but with this program, CU is one step closer to powering much more of its campus with this alternative energy source. Students can actually contribute to the construction and operation of wind turbines that are pollution free.

Gheysar said that even though the university does not purchase wind power directly, the student’s donations will go directly into a fund supporting the use of more wind energy on campus.

According to Gheysar, when students donate a certain amount of money monthly, it goes to a major energy provider of CU, like Excel Energy, to help increase their wind sources. The goal is to increase the use of wind energy by 10 percent at the university.

“CU has its own power plant, and we generate some of our own energy and balance what we produce with our own generator with what we buy from Excel,” Gheysar said. “With this money, it allows them to purchase more wind power.”

The Environmental Center Web site lists some of the benefits of wind energy. It mentions that it is a clean and renewable energy source, it doesn’t contribute to global warming and it makes the air cleaner. Plus, the weather in Colorado provides a great source of wind.

“Obviously, if it’s here, we should use it,” said freshman open-option major Becky Park. “And we definitely have enough wind.”

The program was just launched in mid-January, so there is really no way of measuring its success yet. Gheysar is not sure how the program will do since not very many students know about it.

“I think we need to add this to the (freshman) orientation to let them understand the intent of the program, why it is a good cause, and why they should participate,” he said.

Gheysar said that the project is a very good cause, but he stressed that the cost of wind power is an immense issue. By supporting wind energy use and donating a small amount of money each month, CU is giving students a chance to make a difference.

To help, all students need to do is go to CU’s Environmental Center’s Web site where they can read about many ways to conserve energy and sign up for the “Wind Challenge.” For $2 a month, students will be helping fund the utilization of an environmentally friendly energy source in their residence halls.

“With national gas prices rising, it is good to have alternative energy sources available. This is the first chance we have had to offer students the chance to help support the cause, and we are hoping for a good outcome,” said Carroll.

Students who sign up for the program will receive a gift package that includes a “This Room is Powered by Wind” certificate. The deadline to apply is March 1.